Mail-bag catcher and deliverer.



No. 896,890. PATBNTED AUG. 25, 1908.

I E. G. BUENETTE.

MAIL BAG CATGHER AND'DELIVERER.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 6,1907.

rns NDRRIS PETERS c0 wasumcnm, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

ELIPHAZ G. BURNETTE, OF PARSONS, KANSAS.

MAIL-BAG CATCIIER AND DELIVERER.

No. soasao.

Application filed December 6, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIPHAZ C. BURNETTE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Parsons, in the county of Labette and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Catchers and Deliverers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail bag catchers and deliverers, and one of the principal objects of the same is to provide a simple and reliable device to be pivoted to a car door for catching a bag suspended from a crane at the side of the track, said device also holding a bag in position to be delivered simultaneously with the catching of the other bag.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foldable wire netting to catch the delivered bag.

These and other objects maybe attainedby means of the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of amail bag catcher and deliverer made in accordance with my invention.

Referring to the drawing for a more specific description of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a mail car provided with a door frame 2. Pivotally connected at opposite sides of the door frame in suitable keepers 3 is my mail bag catcher comprising rounded rods 4 and 5 pivoted in the keepers 3, and formed integral with the rod 4 is a handle 6 for operating the device. Extending in line with the handle 6 is an arm 7 which is bent at right angles, as at 8, and which terminates in an outwardly curved catching member 9. Connected to the mem- Y ber 9 is an integral rod 10 which extends to the portion 5 pivoted .in one of the keepers 3. The movable catching member 11 is curved outwardly, as at 12, and provided with a flattened portion 13 which is pivoted at 14 in an opening in the arm 8. The movable member extends from the opening to form a spring holding arm 15 provided with a lug 16 which is held into engagement with a projection 17 on the arm 8 by means of a spring 18 secured to the holding device and to said arm 8. The mail bag to be delivered is held between the lug 16 and the projection 17 The outgoing mail bag 19 is suspended from a crane 20 supported upon a post 21 and provided with a hinged member 22.

The wire net for receiving the incoming mail bag 2.3 consists of a wire frame 24 having a wire cloth netting secured thereto,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25 1908.

Serial No. 405,459.

said frame being rigidly connected to the post 21 by means of suitable keepers 25. Hinged to the ends of the wire frame 24 is a movable wire netting frame 26, said wire frame adapted to be turned out, as shown in the drawing and limited by means of chains 27 or other suitable flexible means. When not desired for use the member 26 is thrown up against the stationary member and is held in that position by means of a hook 28, and the hinged arm 22 is permitted to drop down out of the way.

The operation of my invention may be briefly described as follows :The outgoing mail bag 19 is suspended from the crane 20. The incoming mail bag 23 is caught between the lug 16 and projection 17. The attendant grasps the handle 6 and throws the catcher into a horizontal position, and as the catching members engage the bag 19 the two members are separated sufficiently to release the bag 23 and drop it into the wire net.

My invention is of simple construction, can be manufactured at slight cost, can be quickly attached to a car and is very efficient and reliable for its purpose.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is 1- 1. A mail bag catcher and deliverer comprising a frame pivoted to the car and provided with an operating handle, a rigid catching member formed on the frame, and a movable catching member pivoted to the frame, a spring for holding said movable member in position to catch a mail bag and the end of said member forming a holding lug for a mail bag.

2. A mail bag catcher and deliverer pivoted to the car and provided with an operating handle, a rigid catching member formed on the frame, a movable catching 

